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Portencross Castle

📍 North Ayrshire, Scotland

4 ★★★★ 380 reviews

About

Portencross Castle, also known historically as Portincross Castle, is situated in Portencross, on the west coast of Scotland, about 3 km from West Kilbride. The site has been fortified since the 11th Century. The present tower castle is thought to date from the mid-14th Century and later. It remained in use until it was unroofed by a great storm in 1739 and gradually became ruinous. The castle was designated as a scheduled monument in 1955.

Built in the 14th century by the Boyd family. Tradition holds that Scottish kings departed from here to be crowned on the sacred island of Iona. Served as a keeper's castle for the Royal Forest of Arnele. Damaged in the great storm of 1739 that also wrecked Alloway Kirk. Recently restored by the Friends of Portencross Castle and open to visitors.